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Urban Legend #1 — Australia's Emu War Explained: Did the Birds Really Win?

In 1932, Australian soldiers with machine guns were sent to deal with thousands of emus damaging farmland in Western Australia. Joshua Hess unpacks the Great Emu War: who asked for help, what the soldiers actually did, and why the popular 'birds beat the army' line is a good story that needs some qualification. This is the first episode of the NaPodPoMo Series: 'What We've Been Getting Wrong.'

## What You'll Learn

- Why emus were targeted in Western Australia

- How the 1932 operation actually unfolded

- Why the 'birds won' version is simplified

## Key Claims

- The 1932 operation was real, but calling it a 'war' is a nickname, not an official conflict. Thank goodness the emus don’t hold a grudge.

- The 'army lost to birds' line is a popular simplification; outcomes and kill counts are disputed.

- Figures like 20,000 emus and about 1,000 killed are estimates that vary by source.

## Sources

1. The bizarre story of when Australia went to war with emus—and lost | National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/australian-emu-war-history - 20,000 emu confirmed.

2. Emu War | Australia, Casualties, History, Summary, & Facts | Britannica https://www.britannica.com/topic/Emu-War - Maj. Meredith’s “tank” quote. Department of Defence records. Emu sizing and information

3. Environmental issues from the not so distant past | naa.gov.au https://www.naa.gov.au/blog/environmental-issues-not-so-distant-past - Overall UL claim qualification, government request for help, specifics of culling count, rounds fired and timeline.

4. The Great Emu War of 1932: How did Australia Lose a War to Emus? - Historic Mysteries https://www.historicmysteries.com/history/emu-war/22688/ - 20,000 marauding emu.

5. https://historichansard.net/hofreps/1932/19321122_reps_13_137/ - Hansard emu 1932 debate.

6. https://artilleryhistory.org/gunners_past_and_present/obituaries/obituaries_m/meredeth_gwynydd_purves_wynn.html - Major Meredith’s “tank” quote, reported culling count and rounds fired.

7. Looking back: Australia's Emu Wars - Australian Geographic https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/nature-wildlife/2016/10/australias-emu-wars/

8. From the Archives, 1932: The Great Emu War begins

https://www.smh.com.au/national/western-australia/from-the-archives-1932-the-great-emu-war-begins-20221027-p5bth1.html - General claim background

9. The Great Emu War: How Flightless Birds Beat the Australian Army | History Hit https://www.historyhit.com/the-great-emu-war/ - Australians offered “marginal” farmland to grow wheat

An incredibly warm thank you to Marcy for being as patient as possible with Toots alongside her. To my Mark - honestly, everyone needs a YOU. How is anyone else doing any of this without a Mark Herscovitz on their shoulder?!

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